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  • Death toll rises to 100 as extreme weather hits Pakistan, Azad Kashmir


Death toll rises to 100 as extreme weather hits Pakistan, Azad Kashmir

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Local residents remove debris of a collapsed house following heavy snowfall that triggered an avalanche in Neelum Valley, in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on January 14, 2020. (AFP)
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People walk on a foot bridge on the banks of the Dal Lake during a snowfall in Srinagar on January 13, 2020. (AFP)
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People are seen walking on a snow-covered mountain path in the Neelum Valley, Pakistan. (EPA)
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Rescue workers walk the snow-covered road to reach the areas affected by heavy snowfall and avalanches, in Neelum Valley near line of control (LoC), Pakistan, January 14, 2020. (REUTERS)
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Updated 16 January 2020
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Death toll rises to 100 as extreme weather hits Pakistan, Azad Kashmir

  • PM Khan visits Azad Kashmir on Wednesday to assess ground situation
  • Pakistan-Iran freight train service suspended as floods damage track in Dalbadin, Noshki in Balochistan
Updated 16 January 2020
Naimat Khan

KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan has instructed the authorities to urgently assist the residents of Azad Kashmir where dozens of people have lost their lives due to avalanches and many more remain missing, officials said on Wednesday.
The countrywide death toll in avalanches, landslides and other incidents caused by harsh weather has reached 100, and the authorities fear that number may increase. Rescue operations in snow-hit areas of the Neelum Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan continue, Pakistan Army's media wing (ISPR) confirmed on Wednesday evening.  




Rescue workers clear a snow-covered road to make way for an ambulance to reach the areas affected by heavy snowfall and avalanches, in Neelum Valley near line of control (LoC), Pakistan, January 14, 2020. (REUTERS)

In Azad Kashmir, heavy rains and snowfall in the last two days triggered avalanches in different areas.
“The avalanches and other rain-related incidents have killed 76 and injured 53 others. They have also damaged 198 houses, 20 shops and one mosque,” the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) spokesman, Saqib Mumtaz, told Arab News.




Local residents carry water pots above their heads as they walk back to their homes after heavy snowfall in Khanozai area some 75 kms in northeast of the provincial capital Quetta on January 14, 2020. (AFP)

PM Khan on Wednesday visited Muzaffarabad, the capital city of Azad Kashmir, to review the ground situation.
The regional chief secretary of the area briefed him about the damages and ongoing relief efforts.
Khan also visited a military hospital in Muzaffarabad and met with injured people who are undergoing treatment at the health facility.
Discussing the situation in Balochistan, an official told Arab News that 20 people were killed in various incidents in the province. “The situation is under control and all stranded people have been rescued,” Liaquat Shahwani said.




Rescue and relief efforts are underway on Jan. 15. (Photo courtesy: ISPR)

“Two people died and eight were injured in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while two people also died in Gilgit-Baltistan,” the NDMA said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The rescue and relief operations in Neelum Valley are underway as per the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Today, three more helicopters left for the valley with rations, tents, blankets, medicines and other items of necessity,” Mumtaz, the NDMA spokesperson, said.
“The severe snowfalls and landslides in AJK [Azad Jammu and Kashmir] have caused misery & deaths. I have asked the NDMA, the military & all our federal ministers to immediately provide all humanitarian assistance on an emergency footing to the affected people in AJK,” Khan tweeted on Tuesday.

Army helicopters delivered tents, blankets, food, and medicine to locations in which road access has been cut off, according to a statement by ISPR. The military also said parts of the Karakoram Highway and Jaglot Skardu Road which were blocked earlier are already clear.




A man removes snow from outside his house after heavy snowfall, in Keran, a small town in Neelum Valley, in Azad Kashmir, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. (AP)

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warns that heavy rains and snow in northwestern parts of Balochistan may result in flash floods. The province has recorded the heaviest snowfall in two decades, according to the PMD.
A westerly wave has also engulfed the upper parts of the country, the PMD said in a statement on Tuesday, forecasting cold and dry weather in most parts of Pakistan and extremely frigid climate in north Balochistan.
Rain and snowfall are also expected in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.
Other than that, reports indicate that floods in Balochistan have affected the freight train service between Pakistan and Iran, which remained suspended due to major damage to the railway track in Noshki and Dalbandin.

Topics: winter snowfall extreme weather Death toll Kashmir Pakistan

Pakistan, China conclude bilateral air exercise to bolster interoperability

Updated 12 sec ago
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Pakistan, China conclude bilateral air exercise to bolster interoperability

  • The exercise simulated various military tactics in near-realistic, multi-domain operations
  • Pakistan is separately holding a joint military exercise, Harimau-Markhore II, with Malaysia
Updated 12 sec ago

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Tuesday concluded a bilateral air exercise aimed at strengthening interoperability between the two air forces, the Pakistani military said.

The Indus Shield-Chinese exercise, a bilateral module of the Indus Shield 2024 military exercise, concluded at an operational air base of Pakistan Air Force (PAF), according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.

It witnessed participation from People’s Liberation Army Air Force with its personnel and high-tech equipment comprising Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, J-16 and J-10C fighter with Beyond Visual Range (BVR) equipment, HQ-22 surface-to-air defense system, Potent Airborne Electronic Warfare YTG-9 Platform, and the KJ-500 airborne early warning system pitched against the PAF’s J-10C and JF-17 Block-III fighter jets simulating contemporary aerial combat scenarios.

“The successful execution of such a large-scale exercise demonstrates Pakistan Air Force’s joint operational readiness among allied nations while addressing contemporary security challenges,” the ISPR said in a statement.

“Aimed at validating interoperability between China and Pakistan in the face of contemporary air combat challenges and by simulating various military tactics in near-realistic, multi-domain operations training environment, Indus Shield-Chinese has maximized the warfighting potential of both the participating air forces.”

Indus Shield-2024 is the largest multinational regional exercise, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye among 24 countries taking part in it. The exercise aims to foster interoperability and training through state-of-the-art facilities.

Pakistan is separately holding a joint military exercise, Harimau-Markhore II, with Malaysia, Pakistani state media reported on Tuesday. The two-week-long exercise began at the National Counter-Terrorism Center in Pabbi in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtukhwa (KP) province.

“The exercise will strengthen bilateral relations between the Malaysian and Pakistani forces and provide opportunities to benefit from each other’s experiences and expertise in the future,” the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.

Pakistan frequently holds exercise drills with regional and international allies to foster interoperability and joint deployment concepts to strengthen regional and global security.

Also, Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Zulfiquar visited Port Djibouti during deployment on a regional maritime security patrol, the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) of Pakistan Navy said on Tuesday.

The commanding officer of PNS Zulfiquar called on senior military leadership and explored avenues for further collaboration, while the crew had professionally rewarding interactions with Djibouti Navy and Coast Guards during the port call.

“Pakistan and Djibouti enjoy close and cordial relations based on mutual respect and understanding. Both the countries also have numerous common interests in maritime arena,” the DGPR said in a statement. “Upon departure, PNS Zulfiquar conducted Passage Exercise with Djibouti Coast Guards to enhance inter-operability.”

Topics: China Pakistan ties pakistan air force

Pakistan approves Hajj Policy 2025, adds new role to improve pilgrim services

Updated 05 November 2024
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Pakistan approves Hajj Policy 2025, adds new role to improve pilgrim services

  • Pakistan will send 179,210 pilgrims, equally divided between the government and private sector
  • Government will prioritize first-time pilgrims in the official balloting process, says a statement
Updated 05 November 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the Hajj Policy 2025, said an official statement, specifying a quota of 179,210 pilgrims and introducing a new position of the “nazim” or administrator to ensure improved services for those embarking on the spiritual journey.
Hajj, one of Islam’s five pillars, is an annual pilgrimage to Makkah undertaken by millions of Muslims. Pakistan has one of the largest Hajj quotas provided by Saudi Arabia to any Muslim country amid immense demand for the pilgrimage, with many citizens waiting years for an opportunity to participate.
“The federal cabinet approved the Hajj Policy 2025 on the recommendation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony,” an official handout from the Prime Minister’s Office said. “The cabinet was informed that Pakistan’s Hajj quota for 2025 will be 179,210, divided equally between the government and the private sector.”
The new policy includes the creation of a “nazim” position, aimed at ensuring the well-being of pilgrims throughout the journey.
“For every 100 pilgrims, one nazim will be appointed from the welfare staff,” the handout added, underscoring the government’s intent to improve the pilgrimage experience.
Under the policy, children under 12 will not be allowed to travel for Hajj. Government quota allocation will be conducted through computerized balloting, with 1,000 seats reserved for hardship cases and 300 for laborers or low-income employees registered with the Workers Welfare Fund or the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution.
Additionally, the Makkah Route Initiative, offering streamlined immigration services, will be available at Islamabad and Karachi international airports. To further enhance the experience, Hajj Group Organizers will sign service agreements with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, with close monitoring of service quality.
In light of previous challenges, the cabinet has increased compensation for pilgrims who may pass away or get injured during the pilgrimage. The families of deceased pilgrims will receive Rs1 million to Rs2 million, while injured pilgrims will receive Rs1 million in compensation.
A specialized Hajj management app has also been developed to support pilgrims, along with extensive training initiatives.
The cabinet directed priority in the balloting process to first-time pilgrims and emphasized the importance of ensuring top-quality services for all participants.

Topics: Hajj 2025 hajj Pakistan Saudi Ties

Pakistan government defends bills extending tenure of armed services chiefs

Updated 54 min 38 sec ago
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Pakistan government defends bills extending tenure of armed services chiefs

  • Parliament has approved bills to extend tenure of army, navy, and air force chiefs from 3 to 5 years
  • Opposition fears extending tenure will consolidate the hold of already all-powerful army chief
Updated 54 min 38 sec ago
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has defended the passage this week by Pakistan’s parliament of bills that extend the tenures of the army, navy and air force chiefs, saying the move would check against services chiefs granting themselves extensions and “formalize” the duration of their service.

The bills, approved by Pakistan’s National Assembly and Senate on Monday, have been pushed by the coalition government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif which argues that they are aimed at building continuity and avoiding some of the political turmoil that usually surrounds the appointment of the army chief every three years. The bills also extend the tenure of the heads of the navy and air force, though those positions hold less influence in Pakistan.

The office of the army chief is considered to be the most powerful in the country, with the army having ruled Pakistan for almost half of its 75-year -long history. Even when not directly in power, the army is considered to be the invisible guiding hand in politics and holds considerable sway in internal security, foreign policy, and economic affairs, among other domains. Several army chiefs in the past have been given extensions in service.

“What we did [passage of bills], these extensions [in army chief’s term] started from Ayub Khan’s time,” Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said, referring to a Pakistani general who carried out a military coup in 1958 and ruled until 1969.

“That thing has been formalized now, and we have increased the tenure. You pick up the rest of the institutions. [...] the National Assembly [term] is also for five years.”

“Now the trend of extensions, how it was in the past that people gave an extension to themselves [will be ended],” Asif added, referring to now retired Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, who served as army chief from 2016-22 after getting a three-year extension.

Speaking to a Pakistani news channel, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar also said the uncertainty surrounding the army chief’s appointment had been addressed through the new legislation.

“The five-year tenure [of the services chiefs] will not affect the institution’s merit-based system … The amendments are not introduced suddenly, instead the consultation on them was underway, and this legislation is not done for any individual.”

OPPOSITION STANCE

As the bills were passed on Monday in the National Assembly, opposition lawmakers from the PTI party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan chanted against the measure. Some of them tore up copies of the bills and threw them at Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for not allowing debate. A similar protest by lawmakers from Khan’s party took place when the bill was quickly passed by the Senate, where Sharif’s party also holds a majority. The bill will now go to the president for his approval.

Omar Ayub Khan, a top leader of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, told reporters after the bill passed that the legislation “is neither good for country nor for the armed forces.”

The PTI is widely believed to be against an extension in service particularly for incumbent Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir, who it considers to be behind the ouster of Khan from the PM’s office in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in 2022. The PTI also says the army is behind legal cases against Khan that have kept him in prison since August last year. The military denies any interference in politics.

The passage of the new bills follows controversial amendments made to the constitution last month, granting lawmakers the authority to nominate the chief justice of Pakistan, who previously used to be automatically appointed according to the principle of seniority.

The amendments allowed the government to bypass the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, and appoint Justice Yahya Afridi as the country’s top judge.

The opposition and the legal fraternity had opposed the amendments, arguing that they were aimed at granting more power to the executive in making judicial appointments and curtailing the independence of the judiciary. The government denies this.

Topics: Khawaja Asif National Assembly of Pakistan

Pakistan sends delegation to Saudi Arabia following PM Sharif’s high-profile visit

Updated 05 November 2024
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Pakistan sends delegation to Saudi Arabia following PM Sharif’s high-profile visit

  • Saudi Arabia has pledged to invest $2.8 billion in Pakistan to ensure sustainable economic growth
  • PM urges his team to take maximum benefit from the fruits of Pakistan’s ongoing economic diplomacy
Updated 05 November 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani delegation departed for Saudi Arabia after recent high-level talks between the two countries, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday, as he highlighted the gains of his administration’s economic diplomacy during the federal cabinet meeting.

Pakistan has grappled with a prolonged economic crisis in recent years, addressing it through external financing from allies like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and China, along with support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

To secure sustainable economic growth, the country has sought trade and investment partnerships, with Sharif visiting Saudi Arabia and Qatar earlier this month to discuss collaborative opportunities across multiple sectors.

During these talks, Saudi Arabia pledged $2.8 billion through 34 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements on the sidelines of the Future Investment Initiative conference. Pakistan is now focused on implementing these initiatives, with five projects already underway.

“Our delegation has left for Saudi Arabia,” Sharif told cabinet members. “My visit and meeting with the crown prince [Mohammed bin Salman] went well, with positive intent for Pakistan.”

Sharif highlighted potential collaboration in mines, minerals and solar energy, while noting a demand for Pakistani information technology experts in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

“I hope the [IT] ministry can prepare a plan [to capitalize on that],” he said.

The prime minister stressed the need to develop a highly skilled workforce to meet global standards while pointing out it was essential to “rapidly move forward” on MoU implementation with other countries.

He also mentioned $2 billion in MoUs with Azerbaijan, saying Baku had expressed readiness to proceed with these initiatives.

“These are good signals, and it’s up to us now to maximize their benefits,” he added.

Topics: Pakistan Saudi Ties

Iranian FM on Islamabad visit, says Tehran reserves right to ‘legitimate defense’ against Israel

Updated 05 November 2024
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Iranian FM on Islamabad visit, says Tehran reserves right to ‘legitimate defense’ against Israel

  • Araghchi is in Pakistan on a two-day visit to discuss Middle East tensions, bilateral ties 
  • Decries Israel’s “acts of genocide” in Gaza, ongoing attacks in Lebanon, assault on Iran on Oct. 26
Updated 05 November 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD:  Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in Pakistan’s capital on Tuesday for a two-day official visit to discuss a range of issues, including tensions in the Middle East, saying at a press conference that Tehran reserved the right to a “legitimate defense” against Israeli aggressions though it did not seek escalation.

Araghchi was addressing a joint media briefing with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in which he spoke about Israel’s “crimes and acts of genocide” in Gaza, its ongoing attacks in Lebanon and its assault on Iran on Oct. 26. 

Iran’s supreme leader on Saturday threatened Israel and the US with “a crushing response” over attacks on Iran and its allies. Any further attacks from either side could engulf the wider Middle East, already teetering over Israel’s assault of the Gaza Strip and its ground invasion of Lebanon, into a wider regional conflict as the US goes into a presidential election today, Tuesday.

“Unlike the Israeli regime, the Islamic Republic of Iran does not seek escalation,” Araghchi told reporters. “However, we reserve our inherent right to legitimate defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter and we would certainly respond to the Israeli aggression in a proper time and in a proper manner.”

Since the deadliest attack by Hamas in its history on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has carried out air and ground strikes in Gaza in which over 42,000 people have been killed. Since late September, it has also been at war with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are allies of Iran. 

Pakistan, a major ally of Saudi Arabia, shares a long border with Iran but ties have been frosty over a range of issues, including cross-border militancy. 

During Tuesday’s press conference, the Iranian foreign minister appreciated Pakistan’s stance in condemning Israeli aggression against Iran. 

“We [Muslim nations] are working toward a solution to stop these atrocities and to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza and Lebanon at the upcoming OIC meeting, especially as winter approaches, which will only intensify the hardships of the homeless and refugees in Gaza and Lebanon,” Araghchi added. 

Saudi Arabia will also host a joint Arab-Islamic summit on Nov. 11 to address Israeli assaults in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon.

PAK-IRAN TIES

Speaking about bilateral relations, Araghchi reiterated Iran’s commitment to the promotion of ties with Pakistan in all areas, including economic, political, academic, cultural, and tourism.

“The objective of this round of consultation is the promotion of the all-out relations between Iran and Pakistan with a new focus on the bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of trade and economy,” he added.

Speaking at the media briefing, Pakistani FM Dar said during his meetings with Araghchi, he had emphasized the need for an “urgent” ceasefire, de-escalation, and dialogue aimed at realizing the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.

“We also resolved that in the upcoming joint Islamic summit in Jeddah, which has been scheduled for the 11th of November, we would pool our efforts in order to make sure that we come up with a joint approach to the issues for which this joint summit has been called,” Dar said. 

Dar said both sides had also discussed ways to enhance cooperation across several key areas, including trade, energy, and border security. 

“We agreed to intensify collaboration on border management and address shared challenges as we underscored that terrorism and extremism pose a serious threat to the regional peace and pledged to coordinate our joint efforts to eradicate these challenges,” he added.

Pakistan and Iran have had a rocky relationship despite several commercial pacts between the two countries on trade, energy, and security. Both countries signed the $7 billion Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project agreement in 2004 but 20 years on, the project remains incomplete due to funding challenges and threats of US sanctions over doing business with Tehran. 

Iran has completed the pipeline’s construction on its side of the border while Pakistan is seeking a US waiver to go ahead with building the project. Pakistan has also hired two prominent US law firms, Willkie Farr & Gallagher and White & Case, to defend its position in an international arbitration case initiated by Tehran over the stalled gas pipeline project, the attorney general confirmed to Arab News on Monday.

Pakistan and Iran are also often at odds over instability on their shared, porous frontier, with both countries routinely trading blame for not doing enough against militants who carry out cross-border attacks. 

Tensions surged in January when Pakistan and Iran exchanged airstrikes, both claiming to target alleged militant hideouts in each other’s countries. 

Topics: Pakistan Iran Ties Seyed Abbas Araghchi Iran Gaza Israel Palestine Arab News Pakistan

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